When to Remove a Ladder from Service

Overview

Damaged ladders are dangerous ladders. Knowing when a ladder is unsafe for use and must be removed from service protects workers from serious falls and injuries. Regular inspections and immediate action on deficiencies are critical.

Why This Is Important

Using damaged ladders is one of the leading causes of ladder falls. Broken rungs, cracked rails, damaged feet, and worn components fail unexpectedly, often when workers are extended or carrying loads. These failures result in devastating falls that could be prevented by removing damaged equipment from service. Many workers hesitate to take ladders out of service, fearing they’ll be blamed for the damage or criticized for slowing down work. However, using unsafe ladders puts lives at risk and violates OSHA requirements for equipment inspection and maintenance.

Best Practices & Safety Tips

• Inspect ladders thoroughly before each use—examine rungs, rails, locks, spreaders, feet, and all connection points.
• Remove ladders from service immediately if you find cracked or broken rails, rungs, or structural components.
• Tag damaged ladders clearly with “Do Not Use” tags and store them separately from serviceable equipment.
• Check ladder feet for wear, damage, or missing components that could cause slipping or instability.
• Verify that locking mechanisms on extension and step ladders function properly and engage fully.
• Remove ladders with missing or illegible safety labels indicating load ratings and usage instructions.
• Take ladders out of service if they’re bent, twisted, or show signs of structural compromise from impact.
• Reject ladders with loose rungs, rivets, or connections that could fail during use.
• Remove fiberglass ladders from service if you observe cracks, splits, or delamination of materials.
• Repair or destroy removed ladders to prevent inadvertent use by others who may not know they’re damaged.

Takeaway

Your safety is more important than any schedule or deadline. Never use a damaged ladder, and always remove unsafe equipment from service immediately. Taking this simple action prevents serious injuries and demonstrates commitment to everyone’s wellbeing.